How Long Does Pizza Last In The Fridge?

If the only thing better than a piping hot box of pizza from your favorite spot is a cold, leftover slice of the exact same pizza straight from the refrigerator, you, too, may have wondered: how long does pizza actually last in the fridge?

It turns out there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to storing food in the refrigerator, and pizza, in particular, can be a bit finicky. A simple cheese pizza doesn't keep the same as a loaded veggie pizza or a meat-lover's special, and reheating crust so that it stays crisp and fluffy can be tricky.

We spoke with two experts, a chef and a food scientist, to understand just how long pizza lasts when stored in the refrigerator. They also offered us some tips on how to tell pizza is still good, and how to expertly reheat it so it tastes fresh out of the oven.

How Long Does Pizza Last In The Fridge?

Leftover pizza should typically be consumed within 3 to 4 days, according to Dr. Don Schaffner who advises food industry professionals.

What Factors Contribute To Pizza Lasting Longer?

It really depends on the type of pizza: the variety of toppings, the method of storing, and your refrigerator temperature.

If not properly sealed, leftover pizza will lose moisture rapidly and harden; while these properties do necessarily make pizza unsafe for eating, it'll be unpleasant to do so. The good news is, Shaffner explains, it'll be clear if pizza has gone bad: if it looks and smells unpleasant or moldy, it should be discarded. We've rounded up some helpful tips for storing and reheating pizza to enjoy it at its prime.

The Best Way To Store Pizza In The Fridge

Lower temperatures are best for storing pizza. "Make sure your fridge is at least 41°F or less for best quality," says Shaffner. While it's the general rule for most food, it's especially important for keeping and sealing in moisture and freshness that pizza requires to be just as tasty later.

Sealing pizza in a plastic container or tightly in aluminum foil can aid further in reducing moisture loss, preserving flavors, and improving quality when reheating.

Mistake To Avoid When Reheating Pizza

When it comes to reheating pizza, it's best to avoid the microwave. According to Chef Marisol Doyle Leña Pizza + Bagels in Cleveland Mississippi, microwaving pizza can make the crust feel and taste even more stale than it is. She recommends avoiding the microwave, which can make pizza's crust chewy, mushy, and unpleasant.

"Microwaving foods can lead to pockets of high temperature," Dr. Shaffner explains, noting that the chemical makeup of bread is not well suited to microwave reheating. "The starch molecules [in bread] in high temperature pockets can undergo changes leading to that chewy, gummy texture."

The Best Ways To Reheat Pizza

• In the oven: Both Doyle and Shaffner recommend using the oven, which reheats pizza much more gently, albeit not quite as speedily. It's relatively failsafe and almost every kitchen is already outfitted with one. Simply reheat your pizza slice(s) on a baking tray at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes or until warmed through to your desired level of doneness.
• In the air fryer: We know it can be hard to resist the efficiency of a microwave, but if you're in a pinch for time, try using an air fryer. Many of Doyle's restaurant patrons have shared that their air fryers are great for reheating individual pizza slices. And it makes sense—known for their thin, flat bottom crust and a raised, puffy edges called a "cornicione", smaller Neapolitan slices fit snugly in an air fryer, which generates consistent heat for crispy edges and a just the right amount of natural steam to keep the cornicione fluffy.
• On the stove top: As for Doyle herself, she sticks to a tried and true method of reheating pizza on the stove, and she recommends it to others. "I usually put [a slice] on a skillet or a frying pan at a low temperature, cover it, and let the bottom crisp up again," she says. "Sometimes I add a little bit of water, which will create a bit of steam." The result is a perfectly warmed-through, crispy, fluffy pizza.
  

Tips For Freezing Leftover Pizza

For best results, double wrap or seal your pizza as tightly as possible to prevent oxidization of meat or an accumulation of moisture on vegetable toppings. "If the pizza has meat toppings high in fat, the fat may oxidize leading to off-flavors," says Shaffner. "Vegetable toppings like broccoli may shrivel up and get tough over time."